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The Beginner's Guide to Growing Great Vegetables
“For new and novice gardeners who want a straightforward, unfussy guide to growing their own food.” —Library Journal
You can grow beautiful, healthy, delicious veggies and herbs right from the start—just follow the trustworthy advice found in The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables. Expert gardener Lorene Edwards Forkner shares all the information you need to create a thriving garden, from facts about soil and sun to tips on fertilizing, mulching, and watering. Regional planting charts show what to plant when, and a month-by-month planner takes you from January through December. Profiles of popular edibles explain exactly how to plant, care for, and harvest your bounty. Whether your garden grows in the ground, on a balcony, or in containers on a sunny patio, this is your guide to grow-your-own success. Your backyard bounty awaits!
You can grow beautiful, healthy, delicious veggies and herbs right from the start—just follow the trustworthy advice found in The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables. Expert gardener Lorene Edwards Forkner shares all the information you need to create a thriving garden, from facts about soil and sun to tips on fertilizing, mulching, and watering. Regional planting charts show what to plant when, and a month-by-month planner takes you from January through December. Profiles of popular edibles explain exactly how to plant, care for, and harvest your bounty. Whether your garden grows in the ground, on a balcony, or in containers on a sunny patio, this is your guide to grow-your-own success. Your backyard bounty awaits!
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 16, 2021
45 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 1, 2022
Picking up bits and pieces of gardening wisdom over the years from family and friends along with simply learning by trial and error, I’m always up for honing my knowledge. However, the sheer volume of gardening manuals and how-tos out there make selecting the best books to meet my needs anything, but easy. The title and a swift perusal of the blurb had me instinctively reaching for this book and anticipating that it would fill in some of my learning gaps or giving me knew possibilities to consider without being too big a challenge or a budget issue.
The Beginner’s Guide was methodically put together. It truly assumes the reader is a novice at gardening. It doesn’t rush off into complicated gardening methods and assume the reader will figure a great deal out on their own, but it also doesn’t talk down to the reader, either. The book starts with helping the reader consider their living space to help determine what type of gardening they can consider and consider what results they reader wants to determine planning their garden size and make up. Once plotting and planning the gardening space is underway, there were discussions about testing soil and depending on the results how to enrich the soil as needed. Following this was consideration for climate and weather patterns which came with helpful hacks to extend northern growing season or protect southern plantings from dry and heat.
Following the soil topic, there were considerations for water sources like having a rain barrel collector to help reduce the amount of metered water used and doing composting to rejuvenate the soil. Also, crop rotation and how certain plants are good neighbors to put into the soil what the other plant needs.
Next, there was the discussion about seeds. A chart about the expiration dates on types of seeds, how to read a seed packet, and what the growing season is on the various vegetables and herbs. There was also a handy discussion about ordering the plantings so that those who could go earlier would be producing right around the time the next group was just starting and leaving time for a second planting of some all occupying the same space. This was particularly helpful to me as I have limited garden plot spaces because of the tall trees around that limit the full sun spots.
The bulk of the book was a growing season calendar starting with January including what action could be taken, what was needed to prep, and a break down by planting regions (it is specific to US gardening regions). Here in the monthly pages are discussions that correspond with what is being prepped or growing that month. Like, in March there is a discussion of climbing frames because it is a good month to start peas and beans that like to climb. There are discussions about home remedies as opposed to insecticides. In July, there is a discussion about what plants need special attention to keeping their roots cooled and how to help keep heat damage and pest damage to a minimum.
By the end, there is a wealth of knowledge about the traits of the vegetables and herbs themselves. Growing complimentary foods and seasonings and growing to fit needs so there is enough produced and not too much or that the novice actually planted vegetables they will actually eat and like.
Incidentally, the book’s ideas and implementations are friendly on the wallet. It gives options for various plans and ideas and doesn’t expect the reader to sink a fortune into their new gardening venture. In fact, by the considering questions and options posed, the book can save money with the good advice that lead to a fairly good chance at success and satisfaction.
I know that I will be referencing back to this book quite often as I attempt some of the ideas for extending my production seasons rather than just growing summer vegetables and trying to work the soil by smarter planting and soil enrichment. I’m even convinced that it will be okay to grow certain plants in flower beds in front and side of the house and not just the conventional garden plot. I never gave much thought to seed expiration and how to check for viability so I’ve been able to thin out about half the seeds I was keeping until they were gone.
The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables has left me jazzed about gardening and was a well-organized book with wonderful charts, photos, and graphics, good index, and of course that splendid month by month planning guide. I can definitely recommend it to those who are interested, but haven’t started yet and those who are, like me, perhaps long time gardeners though still classified as beginners.
I rec’d this book from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
The Beginner’s Guide was methodically put together. It truly assumes the reader is a novice at gardening. It doesn’t rush off into complicated gardening methods and assume the reader will figure a great deal out on their own, but it also doesn’t talk down to the reader, either. The book starts with helping the reader consider their living space to help determine what type of gardening they can consider and consider what results they reader wants to determine planning their garden size and make up. Once plotting and planning the gardening space is underway, there were discussions about testing soil and depending on the results how to enrich the soil as needed. Following this was consideration for climate and weather patterns which came with helpful hacks to extend northern growing season or protect southern plantings from dry and heat.
Following the soil topic, there were considerations for water sources like having a rain barrel collector to help reduce the amount of metered water used and doing composting to rejuvenate the soil. Also, crop rotation and how certain plants are good neighbors to put into the soil what the other plant needs.
Next, there was the discussion about seeds. A chart about the expiration dates on types of seeds, how to read a seed packet, and what the growing season is on the various vegetables and herbs. There was also a handy discussion about ordering the plantings so that those who could go earlier would be producing right around the time the next group was just starting and leaving time for a second planting of some all occupying the same space. This was particularly helpful to me as I have limited garden plot spaces because of the tall trees around that limit the full sun spots.
The bulk of the book was a growing season calendar starting with January including what action could be taken, what was needed to prep, and a break down by planting regions (it is specific to US gardening regions). Here in the monthly pages are discussions that correspond with what is being prepped or growing that month. Like, in March there is a discussion of climbing frames because it is a good month to start peas and beans that like to climb. There are discussions about home remedies as opposed to insecticides. In July, there is a discussion about what plants need special attention to keeping their roots cooled and how to help keep heat damage and pest damage to a minimum.
By the end, there is a wealth of knowledge about the traits of the vegetables and herbs themselves. Growing complimentary foods and seasonings and growing to fit needs so there is enough produced and not too much or that the novice actually planted vegetables they will actually eat and like.
Incidentally, the book’s ideas and implementations are friendly on the wallet. It gives options for various plans and ideas and doesn’t expect the reader to sink a fortune into their new gardening venture. In fact, by the considering questions and options posed, the book can save money with the good advice that lead to a fairly good chance at success and satisfaction.
I know that I will be referencing back to this book quite often as I attempt some of the ideas for extending my production seasons rather than just growing summer vegetables and trying to work the soil by smarter planting and soil enrichment. I’m even convinced that it will be okay to grow certain plants in flower beds in front and side of the house and not just the conventional garden plot. I never gave much thought to seed expiration and how to check for viability so I’ve been able to thin out about half the seeds I was keeping until they were gone.
The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables has left me jazzed about gardening and was a well-organized book with wonderful charts, photos, and graphics, good index, and of course that splendid month by month planning guide. I can definitely recommend it to those who are interested, but haven’t started yet and those who are, like me, perhaps long time gardeners though still classified as beginners.
I rec’d this book from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2021
A very fun and informative book that will help me do more than just grow some tomatoes. You will learn how and when to start planting, how to help your soil, and the monthly actions you should take to make sure your garden will prosper. A lot of great photos. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 8, 2021
Confession time, I have a brown thumb. I inherited it from my mother, who has a thumb of death when it comes to plants. I love nature, plants and the idea of growing my own food, but have always thought that I wouldn't be able to grow anything other than cacti. So when I saw this book's title I thought, "why not try it"?
All I can say is WOW. I've always respected farmers and gardeners, but I had NO IDEA that it took SO MUCH just to have healthy, fruitful plants! This book isn't trying to scare you with data and what has to happen, but because it is so matter of fact about all of the work that goes into it, it scared me!
It takes a LOT of work, prep, sweat and brain power to have a gorgeous, productive garden. It's daunting, but this book lays out an easy "what to do" each month list and then delves deeper into what you can expect for that month and how to do the things in the list, for each growing season in North America.
If you are interested in starting to garden or are wondering what you can do for your current one (and you live in North America), I HIGHLY recommend this book. While I am scared of the work it's going to take, I immediately ordered a copy for myself and will be asking the gardening customers in our store to take a look at it and let me know what they think. We have one regular customer who is a wizard when it comes to gardening and I have a close friend who is also a gardening wizard and I want to see what they think of it, as this book blew me away.
5, I am going to grow my own fruits and veggies yet, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
All I can say is WOW. I've always respected farmers and gardeners, but I had NO IDEA that it took SO MUCH just to have healthy, fruitful plants! This book isn't trying to scare you with data and what has to happen, but because it is so matter of fact about all of the work that goes into it, it scared me!
It takes a LOT of work, prep, sweat and brain power to have a gorgeous, productive garden. It's daunting, but this book lays out an easy "what to do" each month list and then delves deeper into what you can expect for that month and how to do the things in the list, for each growing season in North America.
If you are interested in starting to garden or are wondering what you can do for your current one (and you live in North America), I HIGHLY recommend this book. While I am scared of the work it's going to take, I immediately ordered a copy for myself and will be asking the gardening customers in our store to take a look at it and let me know what they think. We have one regular customer who is a wizard when it comes to gardening and I have a close friend who is also a gardening wizard and I want to see what they think of it, as this book blew me away.
5, I am going to grow my own fruits and veggies yet, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Timber Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2021
This beginners guide to gardening was great. Last year I tried to grow a bunch of stuff and it was like a Pinterest fail. Didn’t know a thing about gardening and it showed. So I was glad to get my hands on this.
This author had a fresh approach (to me) about the joy of gardening. She wrote the preface like a novel. She told me to prepare to be delight and I was!
I never even thought about keeping a garden journal.
The photos in this were realistic and encouraging. I live in the SE region on a hardiness map which has as being one of the longest growing seasons. Yay me! These parts were well explained. She guides you through every month with what to do and how.
Things I loved:
• Kitchen cupboard organics for insect and fungal control
• The ten uses of soap for a garden
• How to save seeds
• Homemade compost
The last part has a resource and service guide that was very, very helpful. And a metric conversion table for people like me who can never figure it out on my own.
I highly recommend this colorfully thorough, easy to follow gardening book. It’s great for anyone interested in learning gardening.
Thanks to Timber Press via Netgalley for this ARC. I’ve voluntarily given my review.
This author had a fresh approach (to me) about the joy of gardening. She wrote the preface like a novel. She told me to prepare to be delight and I was!
I never even thought about keeping a garden journal.
The photos in this were realistic and encouraging. I live in the SE region on a hardiness map which has as being one of the longest growing seasons. Yay me! These parts were well explained. She guides you through every month with what to do and how.
Things I loved:
• Kitchen cupboard organics for insect and fungal control
• The ten uses of soap for a garden
• How to save seeds
• Homemade compost
The last part has a resource and service guide that was very, very helpful. And a metric conversion table for people like me who can never figure it out on my own.
I highly recommend this colorfully thorough, easy to follow gardening book. It’s great for anyone interested in learning gardening.
Thanks to Timber Press via Netgalley for this ARC. I’ve voluntarily given my review.
May 17, 2021
This was a pretty decent resource, although I don't think it would be helpful for more seasoned gardeners. While I have attempted gardening in the past, I really am a beginner, and for the beginner, this really is a pretty good resource that gives you a broad overview of everything you would need to plan and start a garden, including extra resources depending on what you're interested in doing or what your needs are. I had never heard of lasagna gardening and I appreciated that even though the author is from the PNW, she included resources and things to consider if you were in other parts of the country. In the end, there is an extra section on specific (and the more common) edibles and things to consider for each of them. I only wish she had included ginger, although I know I could look that up on my own. Overall, I would say that after reading this book, I don't think my current circumstances are suited for gardening, partly because I really don't have time for it! But I do have some ideas of some things I might be able to do, even if it's just in pots. So I appreciated this book and ultimately, the author urges us to plan ahead and start small, even if it's just a pot garden with herbs and such.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2021
This gardening book is divided into three sections - getting started, get planting, and edibles A to Z. In Getting Started there is great info about gardening zones, the basics of gardening/growing - sun, water, soil, seeds, etc. The Get Planting section outlines things to do/work on/plant in your garden by month January through December. I really like that in each month there are special notes on what can be done depending on your growing zone. There were a LOT of really great tips in this section. The last section edibles A to Z goes over specific vegetables/herbs and tips for planting, growing, and harvesting that item. In this section something SUPER helpful is a list of planting and harvesting months by growing zone. There are also a few pages of resources and suggested reading at the end too. Overall, this is a really well done book about vegetable gardening. I would highly recommend this to a beginner gardener - or someone more advanced as you can always learn more.
May 26, 2021
Doesn't this cover call to you? If you have Kindle Unlimited you can get this book as part of your subscription. You will be inspired by the gorgeous photography throughout the book. The Beginners' Guide to Growing Great Vegetables i is packed with easy-to-access information to help anyone become a gardener. It includes explanations of planting zones, microclimates, how to kill pests with beer, and a month-by-month guide to starting a garden. It also includes instructions and tips for planting raised beds as well as containers and discusses using edibles as ornamentals. Why not have some beautiful kale in your front yard? It's pretty and tasty!
The book is filled with wonderful graphics to show you everything from how to lay out a garden, to DIY soil testing, and how to build a hoop house. In the past, I have purchased gardening books that I have opened and thumbed through and put aside because I felt overwhelmed by the content. This book is different, it's very beginner-focused focusing on why you will want to do certain things and when you will want to do them in order to grow vegetables in your backyard, front yard, or even on a balcony.
5 Stars- Comprehensive guide with a monthly planner!
The book is filled with wonderful graphics to show you everything from how to lay out a garden, to DIY soil testing, and how to build a hoop house. In the past, I have purchased gardening books that I have opened and thumbed through and put aside because I felt overwhelmed by the content. This book is different, it's very beginner-focused focusing on why you will want to do certain things and when you will want to do them in order to grow vegetables in your backyard, front yard, or even on a balcony.
5 Stars- Comprehensive guide with a monthly planner!
March 4, 2022
My knowledge of gardening is very piecemeal and can largely be summed up by throw seeds in pot, water, they grow??? I'm trying to be intentional on learning more and this seemed like a good book to do it with.
I will flag it is quite general and while she does break out tasks and have some plant notes by region, you probably will want to consult a more region specific reference - some of the recs for my region on planting times felt off for what I've been seeing from other resources, but that is the the limitation of a general beginning gardening book!
The seed list is pretty good, I was happy to see some orgs like Native Seeds SEARCH on there and some solid regional seed companies my more gardening adept friends like. Do want to point that that Baker Creek may not really align with where some folks reading this may want to spend their money - their whole thing where they invited Cliven Bundy to talk at an event and then acted shocked when people were upset, and like they didn't like what he was about despite staff visiting him.... In prison... Was certianly a thing that happened! and then they followed up by platforming RFK Jr and his anti-vax nonsense.... And then all that's going on here, the Klan of Corn indeed: https://www.instagram.com/p/CalYzHDrQ6e/
I will flag it is quite general and while she does break out tasks and have some plant notes by region, you probably will want to consult a more region specific reference - some of the recs for my region on planting times felt off for what I've been seeing from other resources, but that is the the limitation of a general beginning gardening book!
The seed list is pretty good, I was happy to see some orgs like Native Seeds SEARCH on there and some solid regional seed companies my more gardening adept friends like. Do want to point that that Baker Creek may not really align with where some folks reading this may want to spend their money - their whole thing where they invited Cliven Bundy to talk at an event and then acted shocked when people were upset, and like they didn't like what he was about despite staff visiting him.... In prison... Was certianly a thing that happened! and then they followed up by platforming RFK Jr and his anti-vax nonsense.... And then all that's going on here, the Klan of Corn indeed: https://www.instagram.com/p/CalYzHDrQ6e/
March 4, 2021
This is one of the better beginning gardening books I've read this year (and I've read a lot!). It's got great information to get you started, lots of lovely stock photos, good charts, and detailed information on growing lots of kinds of veggies and understanding issues like soil, sun and fertilizer. I tend to garden a little more organically, lazily and sustainably but this one was one of the closest I've found to working for my kind of gardening. It will be a great guide for anyone starting out with veggies.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
February 13, 2021
The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables, by Lorene Edwards Forkner, is an excellent resource for anyone looking to start a garden. It is so well written and easy to understand. I like that she breaks it down by months and regions of the country so you know exactly what you should be doing. Highly recommended this for any gardener!
Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Timber Press for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
April 2, 2024
Informative and comprehensive, recommend for beginning vegetable gardeners.
September 27, 2021
A very good beginner's guide. With some photos and illustrations, it gives advice for every month of the year what you should be doing with your garden.
January 28, 2021
This is an excellent gardening resource! It lays a wonderful foundation by first explaining that "the best thing you can do is to develop an understanding of the climate and a "feel" for the weather of your growing region." I had never thought about the fact that which part of the region you would live in would affect your garden. I live in the Southeast, so of note to me was, "Gardening is a year-round activity in this region, and abundant rainfall makes for verdant growth." The author has wonderful advice like this for each region. She also includes a beginner's guide glossary, outlining common gardening terms and what they mean. For someone like me who has never done a garden, only taken care of plants, this is very eye-opening information. I never knew so much was required to do a garden.
Another topic the author covers is cool-season crops, warm-season crops, and even doing a crop rotation.
From the beautiful illustrations, the in-depth knowledge of gardening, including what to plant when, this is a must-have for the novice gardener, to the most advanced gardener. It will be a resource that you consult again and again.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. I was not required to give a positive review but was happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Another topic the author covers is cool-season crops, warm-season crops, and even doing a crop rotation.
From the beautiful illustrations, the in-depth knowledge of gardening, including what to plant when, this is a must-have for the novice gardener, to the most advanced gardener. It will be a resource that you consult again and again.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book. I was not required to give a positive review but was happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 29, 2020
This is a good basic introduction to gardening. It is well laid out with nice pictures. I found the suggestion to journal what happens in the garden and monthly "things to do" guides good suggestions. I wish it had a little more detail about what to do when you see problems or how to recognize when to harvest. For example, the carrots section tells you how to pull them out but now how to tell if those are ready which is what I have a problem with. I also have a problem with my squash flowering, but not producing the squash. I would recommend this for a first time gardener to get them started.
Don't forget! Come back to your Review on the pub date, 02 Mar 20
Don't forget! Come back to your Review on the pub date, 02 Mar 20
March 24, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables is a new tutorial gardening guide by Lorene Edwards Forkner. Released 16th March 2021 by Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a comprehensive and well written guide full of easy to understand advice for getting started and succeeding with vegetable gardening. It's slanted toward readers in North America and USDA regional maps and zones are those used in the USA. The first section is a good intro to the concepts and first steps to get started (and succeed) with a garden. The author does a good job explaining the basics and the first chapters are full of clear tables and illustrations as well as a short glossary of terms. The author gives a good overview over soil, water, siting, light conditions, local climate zones, garden planning, and more.
The following chapters are set up chronologically with garden tasks for each month Jan-Dec. There is also an abbreviated herbal listing of edibles from A - Z including all the usual garden favorites as well as some surprises. Each of the listings includes the name (common names only), culture info, planting info for each of the regions, growing and harvesting info, and some varieties to try out.
The appendices include resources and suppliers links, some often overlooked vegetables to seek out and try, an abbreviated bibliography, metric conversion chart, and a cross-referenced index.
The photography throughout the book is lush, clear, and abundant. It's very inspiring to see healthy vegetables and plants, well displayed and appealing.
Four stars. A good beginner's guide. I would recommend it for garden groups, library acquisition, or for the home gardener's library.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables is a new tutorial gardening guide by Lorene Edwards Forkner. Released 16th March 2021 by Workman Publishing on their Timber Press imprint, it's 224 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a comprehensive and well written guide full of easy to understand advice for getting started and succeeding with vegetable gardening. It's slanted toward readers in North America and USDA regional maps and zones are those used in the USA. The first section is a good intro to the concepts and first steps to get started (and succeed) with a garden. The author does a good job explaining the basics and the first chapters are full of clear tables and illustrations as well as a short glossary of terms. The author gives a good overview over soil, water, siting, light conditions, local climate zones, garden planning, and more.
The following chapters are set up chronologically with garden tasks for each month Jan-Dec. There is also an abbreviated herbal listing of edibles from A - Z including all the usual garden favorites as well as some surprises. Each of the listings includes the name (common names only), culture info, planting info for each of the regions, growing and harvesting info, and some varieties to try out.
The appendices include resources and suppliers links, some often overlooked vegetables to seek out and try, an abbreviated bibliography, metric conversion chart, and a cross-referenced index.
The photography throughout the book is lush, clear, and abundant. It's very inspiring to see healthy vegetables and plants, well displayed and appealing.
Four stars. A good beginner's guide. I would recommend it for garden groups, library acquisition, or for the home gardener's library.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
March 9, 2021
The Beginner’s Guide to Growing Great Vegetables by Lorene Edwards Forkner is an excellent guide for starting that garden you’ve been dreaming about! This is the perfect guide for the novice veggie gardener but also the perfect refresher coarse and scheduler for those with more experience. I learned so much from this book that I’m itching to get out there in my garden!
Forkner does an amazing job of organizing all the garden basics and tips in this books so they are easy to find and enjoyable to read. You are covered with a glossary, soul basics, watering, weather, tools and getting your planting areas organized.
After the introductory basics you will find a month by month guide of what to do in your garden. My favorite parts were the DIY guides for raised beds and also Lasagna beds. You will learn how to prep for the season and also how to prepare your garden beds for winter. Learn all about seeds from reading the packet on how to collect. Composting and worm bins. There is also so much information on what you may be planting from fruit, vegetables, herbs, cover crops and more. The last portion of the book is an edibles guide with beautiful photographs.
What is so lovely about Forkner’s writing is that this is an enjoyable read! Not a stuffy text book in anyway. A fresh guide to vegetable garden with all the science and know how still there. This really is have a must have guide or gift for the vegetable gardeners in your life.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.
#LoreneEdwardsForkner #TheBeginnersGuidetoGrowingGreatVegetables #NetGalley
Forkner does an amazing job of organizing all the garden basics and tips in this books so they are easy to find and enjoyable to read. You are covered with a glossary, soul basics, watering, weather, tools and getting your planting areas organized.
After the introductory basics you will find a month by month guide of what to do in your garden. My favorite parts were the DIY guides for raised beds and also Lasagna beds. You will learn how to prep for the season and also how to prepare your garden beds for winter. Learn all about seeds from reading the packet on how to collect. Composting and worm bins. There is also so much information on what you may be planting from fruit, vegetables, herbs, cover crops and more. The last portion of the book is an edibles guide with beautiful photographs.
What is so lovely about Forkner’s writing is that this is an enjoyable read! Not a stuffy text book in anyway. A fresh guide to vegetable garden with all the science and know how still there. This really is have a must have guide or gift for the vegetable gardeners in your life.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.
#LoreneEdwardsForkner #TheBeginnersGuidetoGrowingGreatVegetables #NetGalley
April 6, 2021
This is the book you wish you’d read before you went to the trouble of buying a mountain of compost, too many tools, and planted your garden all wrong. This common sense, clearly written guide takes you through a year of planning, planting, and harvest with good humor and wise counsel, the kind of hard-won knowledge it takes many years to acquire. Handsomely illustrated throughout, it is also a delightful read, as the author’s voice is friendly, reassuring, and always encouraging. Her enthusiasm is infectious; the advice offered is easy to understand and jargon-free. The most timid novice as well as the seasoned grower of tomato plants will want to branch out after perusing this book. Beautifully written and conceived, this guide is one any gardener will appreciate, as it leads you confidently through a productive year in your garden, to reap and enjoy, and finally, to plan for the next growing season. Lorene Edwards Forkner has written a guide to growing great vegetables that deserves to become a standard. Highly recommended. I received a prepublication digital copy from NetGalley.
June 9, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Timber Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I am learning how to grow my own garden and the specifics about choosing the right vegetables to plant in it and this book made it easy and answered a lot of my pressing gardening questions. I loved how this book was broken down and the photos and diagrams presented through each chapter. It's also nice to get some suggestive combinations not only to grow in your garden but, make healthy dishes that will guarantee to be fresh and delicious. No only will I consider this book for our library collection but, I will definitely invest in this book for my own personal collection and I can't wait to see the results for planting my garden.
We will consider adding this title to our Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
I am learning how to grow my own garden and the specifics about choosing the right vegetables to plant in it and this book made it easy and answered a lot of my pressing gardening questions. I loved how this book was broken down and the photos and diagrams presented through each chapter. It's also nice to get some suggestive combinations not only to grow in your garden but, make healthy dishes that will guarantee to be fresh and delicious. No only will I consider this book for our library collection but, I will definitely invest in this book for my own personal collection and I can't wait to see the results for planting my garden.
We will consider adding this title to our Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
October 26, 2021
The Beginner's Guide to Growing Great Vegetables by Lorene Edwards Forkner is a very informative book that will help you growing your own vegetables in no time! The book is organized into three sections: Getting Started, Get Planting, and Edibles A-Z. In Getting Started, Forkner covers gardening zones and the basics of gardening. In Get Planting, she outlines everything you need to do by each month of the year by your growing zones. In Edibles A-Z, you get a lot of information on vegetables and herbs and the best way to plant and harvest them.
Forkner covers a lot in her book that will be very helpful to anyone who has trouble growing their own vegetables. No land? No problem! This book also covers growing from your balcony! A very easy to follow guide book with colorful pictures that is perfect for novice gardeners! Recommended for anyone who needs that visual and step and by step guide to growing plants.
Forkner covers a lot in her book that will be very helpful to anyone who has trouble growing their own vegetables. No land? No problem! This book also covers growing from your balcony! A very easy to follow guide book with colorful pictures that is perfect for novice gardeners! Recommended for anyone who needs that visual and step and by step guide to growing plants.
February 20, 2021
Wow... what a cornucopia of information and a delight to get a peek at. Loved the pictures and illustrations not to mention the ideas.
What did I like? It’s interesting when you find a book that encompasses all the ideas you have for your garden. From the seasons, to rain barrels, to pests and companion planting this book holds a ton of info. This is my first year planting and I’m already overwhelmed with what should go where and when. This book does a lot of the work for you.
Would I recommend or buy? I would love a paperback copy! On my wish list! I’d recommend to a beginner planter as it’s a book to help you get your bearings. A book I badly need!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review! I feel very lucky to have gotten a peek and kudos to the author for a great book!
What did I like? It’s interesting when you find a book that encompasses all the ideas you have for your garden. From the seasons, to rain barrels, to pests and companion planting this book holds a ton of info. This is my first year planting and I’m already overwhelmed with what should go where and when. This book does a lot of the work for you.
Would I recommend or buy? I would love a paperback copy! On my wish list! I’d recommend to a beginner planter as it’s a book to help you get your bearings. A book I badly need!
I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review! I feel very lucky to have gotten a peek and kudos to the author for a great book!
March 15, 2021
Loved it!
I’ve been scouring the shelves looking for a beginner’s book on veggie gardening that would be one-stop shop for what I need to get started. I’ve read some great books yet this one has risen to the top (and that ‘unseeded’ a top book that was stellar as well). This book has its own take, of course, and the blend of friendly prose and (not off-putting) technical approach to gardening was the perfect mix. The author offered all the hints and tips from organic gardening (which I was particularly keen on) to container, to planning to harvesting. This book had it all and was fun to read to boot. I will be looking for this book in print as I will be re-reading it often. If you read only one veggie gardening book this year, I highly recommend it be this one!
*I happily reviewed this book
**Thank you to NetGalley
I’ve been scouring the shelves looking for a beginner’s book on veggie gardening that would be one-stop shop for what I need to get started. I’ve read some great books yet this one has risen to the top (and that ‘unseeded’ a top book that was stellar as well). This book has its own take, of course, and the blend of friendly prose and (not off-putting) technical approach to gardening was the perfect mix. The author offered all the hints and tips from organic gardening (which I was particularly keen on) to container, to planning to harvesting. This book had it all and was fun to read to boot. I will be looking for this book in print as I will be re-reading it often. If you read only one veggie gardening book this year, I highly recommend it be this one!
*I happily reviewed this book
**Thank you to NetGalley
March 11, 2022
I am not a beginning gardener, so lots of information in this book was redundant, but beginner or not, as a gardener, there is always something to learn.. What I liked best about this book is that it encourages readers to not only grow produce for themselves, but to be selfless by sharing: donate their services to community gardens, donate leftover seeds and share their produce with neighbors.
I also like the Skill Set at the end of each chapter that focuses on specific gardening tips such as how to save and store seeds and how to compost. Each chapter tells readers what to do in the garden such as planning and preparing and what and when to plant and sow. A good feature in this book is that it is organized by regions and zones, so the information is applicable to gardeners in all areas.
I also like the Skill Set at the end of each chapter that focuses on specific gardening tips such as how to save and store seeds and how to compost. Each chapter tells readers what to do in the garden such as planning and preparing and what and when to plant and sow. A good feature in this book is that it is organized by regions and zones, so the information is applicable to gardeners in all areas.
January 25, 2021
The Beginner's Guide to Growing Great Vegetables is an informative book about how to have a successful garden. The book is broken down into sections for every aspect of gardening, such as planning your garden, soil composition, how and when to plant different categories of vegetables, yearly rotation of crops, and harvesting so that you can have fresh crops throughout the season instead of all at once. This book is for anyone interested in starting a garden. Whether you have large field plots for planting, or a small area on a deck or balcony, this will guide you for how to grow a successful garden.
Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I am looking forward to attempting my first small potted garden this year and feel that I now have the knowledge now to do it!
Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I am looking forward to attempting my first small potted garden this year and feel that I now have the knowledge now to do it!
April 11, 2021
As an educator, I would recommend this book as a guide to my students and for teachers who needs inspiration and guidance in how to get their own school gardens growing. Beginning gardeners will learn about hardiness zones, when and how to plant, will begin to notice the nuances of weather and seasons, and come to recognize the wild flora and fauna who live in their backyards. Whether you want to nibble fresh microgreens in the middle of winter, build a worm bin, or set up a hoop house/greenhouse, Lorene has solid advice and encouragement for you. In addition to the information rich month-by-month planner, the A-Z Almanac will be an oft-visited resource. This Garden Guide would be a welcomed gift for new homeowners.
January 22, 2023
My daddy could make a dead stick grow, so what was wrong with me? I could barely make any of my vegetables produce anything worth eating. But after reading this, I have great hope! With lush photography and plain-speak descriptions, the author guides the newbie gardener through all stages of planning, planting, nurturing, and harvesting his or her own vegetable garden for the first time. In this age of lockdowns, food, insecurity, food deserts, and a desire to not be so reliant on the food industry, this book is very well received and necessary. This is definitely going on my actual bookshelf. I gratefully received this e-book ARC from the author and publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.
April 25, 2021
This was a very informative book. I am a gardener trapped in a busy city, with a small plot of land in the Midwest, where it’s cold nine months of the year. This book breaks down what is beneficial to start indoors, and when, how to collect seeds for next year and how to make a compost pile to enrich your soil. It breaks down the different regions and what steps to take each month throughout the year. All in all, a good book that I already ordered for my library. I’m sure I will reference it often.
February 7, 2021
Advance copy given in return for an honest review
A homey book that warms up gardening advice. This was a nice way to think about gardening in a more rounded way than just dry instructions. The layout is great for a beginning gardener and the pictures go along nicely and help enhance the experience. A good start, but does not go deeply into any of the topics, so someone with experience might find this lacking in detail.
A homey book that warms up gardening advice. This was a nice way to think about gardening in a more rounded way than just dry instructions. The layout is great for a beginning gardener and the pictures go along nicely and help enhance the experience. A good start, but does not go deeply into any of the topics, so someone with experience might find this lacking in detail.
February 15, 2021
This was a really well done and thought out book. Lots of good tips, I liked the end of chapter skill sets. Great pictures and great depth of gardening knowledge was clear. I think this would be even better if there was a way to do it separately for each growing area. Would love this info for my home in Manitoba, which was not included in the charts at all, though some other parts of Canada were.
March 19, 2021
This book came to me at the perfect time!! After reading this book I am ready to get out and start planting! The author gives great advice for all the different zones in America. So you know exactly when to plant and when you can expect to harvest your veggies! I can’t wait to get out there and start.
June 28, 2021
This book is a fantastic resource for beginners, with easy to follow step by steps and beautiful pictures throughout. I thought it was informative and interesting and the cover is gorgeous! While this may not contain novel information for the seasoned gardener, I feel that it is great for the novice, just as the title indicates.
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